As a single person living in an age where family ties are becoming more tenuous I wonder if it would not be a good idea to “resurrect” the concept of burial societies. These societies arose in the medieval period to assure that their members would all be given the honor of a Christian burial.

Ted Seeber

That’s a good reason to join Knights of Columbus. Your field agent (yes, actually the insurance company side of things) has this responsibility- even if you never purchased insurance from the Order. It’s one of the basic benefits available to even associate members.

If you’re a third degree member, you can even request an honor guard from your local 4th Degree Assembly at your funeral- or at the funeral of a loved one. A 9 year old girl in my town died of cancer- her father was a member- she had an honor guard of 15 4th degree members show up in tux, cape, chappel and sword to accompany her casket.

My husband is a member and we have our life insurance through KOC. Every time I have an interaction with the men in our group, the insurance agent we work with through them or any other part of the organization, I have a thought along the general theme of “this is how we Catholics SHOULD take care of each other.” Knights are awesome.

Sandra Miesel

Ah, but wait for screams and perhaps lawsuits protesting the Church’s involvement and the cooperation of local government.